When Palm Sunday is celebrated in 2026

Palm Sunday, or the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, is one of the most important events of the Christian calendar. This holiday precedes Easter and opens Holy Week. On this day, believers remember the event described in the Gospel of John — a few days before his death on the cross, the Savior entered the holy city to the cheers of the crowd waiting for the Messiah. Izvestia reports on when to celebrate Palm Sunday in 2026.

When Palm Sunday is celebrated in 2026

Palm Sunday is a transitional holiday, its date changes every year. In 2026, the celebration falls on April 5th. Palm Sunday is celebrated in the sixth week of Great Lent, before the beginning of Holy Week and a week before Easter. This is one of the twelve feasts, that is, one of the 12 main church holidays related to the earthly life of Jesus and the Virgin.

The history of Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday is dedicated to the entry of Christ into Jerusalem, when he rode into the city on a young donkey, and people greeted him waving palm branches. Before that, Jesus raised Lazarus from Bethany. According to the Gospel of John, the Son of God often visited the house of the righteous man and his sisters, Martha and Mary, but one day Lazarus fell ill and died.

When Jesus learned of this, he said, "This disease is not for death, but for the glory of God." Then he went to Bethany and, together with the sisters of the deceased, visited the cave where Lazarus was buried. Then Christ said a prayer and ordered him to "get out," and the young man appeared before the congregation alive and unharmed.

The news of the miraculous resurrection spread quickly among the people and reached Jerusalem. When Jesus arrived in the city the next day riding on a donkey, the people who came out to meet him threw palm branches (a symbol of royal power) at the Savior's feet and exclaimed: "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" This expression is both a solemn prayer exclamation and a plea for salvation.

When is Easter celebrated in 2026

The church custom of consecrating palm branches originated in the fourth century in Jerusalem. In the nordic countries, in particular in Russia, this plant was not easy to find, so they decided to replace it with willow. This is how the popular name for the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem arose — Palm Sunday.

Church and folk traditions of Palm Sunday

Orthodox Christians begin celebrating the celebration on Saturday evening before the holiday at an all-night vigil, during which parishioners hold willow branches in their hands, as well as lighted candles. That's how they meet Jesus Christ. Already on Sunday, matins are held, at which a prayer is read for the blessing of the vai (palm branches) and palm twigs are sprinkled with holy water.

During the holiday, temples are decorated with willow, palm and willow branches. The clergy wear green robes.

There is a folk custom after the service to lightly hit relatives with consecrated willow twigs. It is believed that it helps to purify the body and soul and protect against diseases.

According to popular beliefs, the willow tree consecrated in the temple should be kept throughout the year — until the next Easter. The twigs of the plant are placed in vases or decorated with a home iconostasis.

On Palm Sunday, it is recommended to do charity work and help those in need. It is also undesirable to neglect visits to temples without a valid reason and quarrel with loved ones.

Earlier, Izvestia wrote about when Holy Week and Easter will begin in 2026.